What Does IDM Mean? Snapchat, Texting, and More

Co-authored by Imad Jbara and Janice Tieperman

Last Updated: March 22, 2022

You just got a message that says “IDM”—but what the heck is that supposed to mean? No need to worry. We’re here to teach you everything there is to know about this handy abbreviation. Before you know it, you’ll be sending “IDM” messages of your own!

Section 1 of 5:

What does “IDM” mean on Snapchat?

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I Don’t Mind. “IDM” is a quick, easy way for someone to show their flexibility, ambivalence, or agreement to something. It’s a pretty commonly used slang word, so you’ve probably seen it around on Snapchat and other social media platforms, like Twitter.^{[1]
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It Doesn’t Matter. For all intents and purposes, “It Doesn’t Matter” means the exact same thing as “I Don’t Mind.” Both definitions can be used interchangeably!^{[2]
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Section 2 of 5:

How to Use “IDM”

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Let someone know that you’re flexible. Is your friend asking to borrow your Hulu login again, or is your mom asking you for a quick favor when she’s out of the house? “IDM” is a great way to go with the flow and let someone know that you’re fine with whatever they’re suggesting.
- Mom: “I’m picking up some sandwiches for dinner. Is it okay if there are pickles on yours?”
  You: “Yeah, IDM”
- Friend: “Is it cool if I stop by your place for a sec? I think I left my textbook there.”
  You: “Sure thing! IDM.”
- Friend: “Sorry, I’m running a little. Are you cool waiting in the car for me?”
  You: “Yeah, IDM. Take your time!”
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Use it as shorthand for the words I don’t mind. About to send a new tweet? Save some characters by abbreviating the words “I don’t mind” as “IDM.” This tip works for texts, photo captions, and all other types of social media, too!
- “IDM shopping local at the farmer’s market but I wish all the produce wasn’t rotten 😩”
- “IDM pineapple on pizza. I really don’t get what all of the drama is about 🤔”
- “Who cares about the ticket prices? IDM paying extra if it means I can get good seats.”

Section 3 of 5:

How to Reply to “IDM”

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Thank them if they’re doing you a favor. Let them know that you appreciate their flexibility, and that you’re happy to return the favor someday if you can.
- You: “Do you mind watching my cat this weekend?”
  Friend: "Sure, IDM."
  You: “Thanks so much! You’re a lifesaver.”
- You: “Would you mind filling the car up before you head home tonight?”
  Dad: “Yeah, IDM. The gas station is on my way home”
  You: “Thanks a million! I’ll pay you back later.”
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Leave the message unanswered if it ends the conversation. “IDM” can work in a lot of different scenarios, including quick conversations. If you’re quickly confirming something with a friend or loved one, you might not need to reply to “IDM” at all.
- You: “Can we meet at 8:00 instead of 7:30?”
  Them: “Yeah, IDM.”

Section 4 of 5:

When can you send “IDM”?

Send it in casual messages to friends and close loved ones. “IDM” is a great way to spice up your usual texts and Snapchat messages, but only save it for casual occasions and conversations. If you’re writing to your boss or manager, write out “I don’t mind” or “It doesn’t matter” rather than sending “IDM.”

Section 5 of 5:

Alternate Meanings for “IDM”

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Intelligent Dance Music: Chatting with friends about music? In this case, “IDM” might actually refer to “Intelligent Dance Music,” a lesser-known genre that first appeared in the early 90s. Unlike more popular dance music genres, IDM focuses on breaking the mold and building a musical atmosphere.^{[3]
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- You can still find IDM fans online if you poke around in the right corners of the internet.
- Check out albums like Selected Ambient Works 85-92 by Aphex Twin and Music Has the Right to Children by Boards of Canada if you’d like to give this subgenre a try.^{[4]
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Internet Download Manager: Spot the word “IDM” while browsing the internet? In some parts of the tech world, “IDM” stands for Internet Download Manager, a premium software that claims to speed up and optimize your internet downloads.^{[5]
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